Keeping protected areas protected

EDITORIAL: The deliberations at a recent webinar on the Margalla Hills National Park have once again brought into focus an issue of profound environmental and legal significance. The Supreme Court’s decision regarding the national park — one of this country’s most valuable ecological assets — and the review petition currently before the Federal Constitutional Court represent far more than a dispute over land use. At stake are the country’s commitment to environmental protection, the rule of law and the principles of sustainable development.

The Margalla Hills National Park is not merely a scenic backdrop to the federal capital. Its environmental value extends far beyond its boundaries and directly affects the quality of life of millions of citizens. Spread across a unique landscape, the park serves as a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and plant species while providing invaluable ecological services. Acting as a natural carbon sink, it helps regulate local temperatures, protects watersheds and preserves biodiversity. In an era of increasing environmental stress and climate uncertainty, such natural assets are indispensable and must be preserved.

The Supreme Court’s ruling reaffirming the need to remove illegal encroachments and prevent environmentally harmful activities deserves unequivocal support. Protected areas established for conservation purposes must not be made vulnerable to commercial interests or administrative expediency. Any relaxation of environmental safeguards within a national park risks setting a dangerous precedent that could undermine conservation efforts nationwide. Yet the challenge does not end with judicial pronouncements. As several experts noted during the webinar, Pakistan’s environmental governance framework is often weakened by poor implementation. Laws, regulations and court orders can achieve their intended objectives only when institutions possess both the capacity and the will to enforce them. Environmental violations continue because of inadequate oversight, weak coordination among relevant authorities and a persistent lack of accountability.

Equally important is the question of land-use regulation. Debates over restaurants, tourism facilities and other structures within the park must be guided by scientifically approved master plans and conservation objectives rather than short-term commercial considerations. Development cannot be permitted at the expense of ecological integrity. While responsible tourism can play a constructive role in promoting environmental awareness, all activities within the park must remain subordinate to its primary purpose as a protected natural area. The concerns raised regarding pollution and waste management also warrant urgent attention. Growing urbanisation, increasing visitor numbers and expanding commercial activity require a comprehensive strategy to prevent environmental degradation and ensure sustainable management of the park.

The issue transcends legal technicalities and institutional disputes. It concerns the preservation of a national heritage that, once lost, cannot be restored. Policymakers, regulators and citizens alike must act with the urgency that the situation demands. The Supreme Court’s decision presents an opportunity to strengthen environmental governance and reaffirm the principle that conservation must remain at the heart of protected-area management. It is an opportunity that must not be squandered.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026